Set up an Advent wreath: The Advent wreath is made of evergreens bound to a circle of wire. It symbolizes the many years from Adam to Christ in which the world awaited its Redeemer; it also represents the years that we have awaited His second and final coming. The wreath holds four equally spaced candles, the three purple ones lit on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Sundays, and a pink one for Gaudete, the joyful third Sunday in Advent. 

Set up a Nativity scene: Place the figures in a central location in the home. You can build a stable or cave out of wood or paper mache. Mary and Joseph could be a little distance away, and their approach to Bethlehem can be adjusted daily, arriving in the couple of days before Christmas. Likewise, the wise men can be moved closer each day arriving on the Epiphany (6 January). Leave the manger empty so the family can place the Christ child into the manger on Christmas Day.

The Jesse tree: Make up scenes from the Old Testament that point towards Jesus, progressing from creation to Jesus’ birth, and hang them on your Christmas tree. Free resources are available at www.myjessetree.com